Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Spied: 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder

These spy photos of the Audi R8 GT Spyder are not a big surprise. Neither do they raise any important questions. Audi recently confirmed that it would build a roofless version of its lightweight R8 GT and released a pair of sketches, but now we have real photos of the hotter R8 Spyder. It may not be major news, but we just can’t pass up the chance to share more pictures of the stunning R8, especially in this beautiful blue.

Knowing what we do about the GT coupe, we don’t feel like we need official confirmation of the Spyder GT’s hardware; the same weight-saving and track-focusing measures employed on the coupe will be applied to the roofless version. Considering that a regular convertible with the 5.2-liter V-10 weighs about 240 pounds more that its coupe counterpart and the GT weighs about 220 pounds less than that same V-10 coupe, expect the Spyder GT’s curb weight to be right back where the 5.2-liter hardtop started—about 3700 pounds. The GT’s weight savings will be slightly less in the U.S., though, if the lightweight seats of the Euro model—they save about 70 pounds combined but don’t have side airbags—are not approved for sale here.

Power will come from the 5.2-liter V-10, here producing an extra 35 hp and 7 lb-ft of torque, for totals of 560 and 398, respectively. We expect that the full run of GT Spyders will be fitted with the R tronic transmission, as is the case with the R8 GT coupe. For both weight savings and track prowess, the Spyder likely will have the same carbon-ceramic brakes—with seductive anodized calipers—and adjustable coil-overs as the GT coupe. If passersby fail to notice the brakes, a fixed carbon-fiber spoiler and enormous circular tailpipes (the latter not seen on this prototype) will clue them in to the fact that this is a GT.

In addition to the lightened suspension bits, we expect the Spyder GT to shed pounds thanks to lightweight carpet, less sound deadening, a lighter exhaust system, assorted carbon-fiber bits, and a lightweight battery. Although they’re not present on the prototype here, the Spyder GT should have the same modified front and rear fascias as the GT coupe.

Audi will produce just 333 GT coupes worldwide—90 of which are headed to the U.S.—and we expect that the Spyder GT will be limited to a similar number. With the coupe priced just over $200,000, figure on the Spyder going for around $220,000. That’s a sizable premium over a V-10 Spyder, but a savings of around $30,000 over the same car wearing a Lamborghini badge.